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THE 


MEDICAL 

MISSIONARY  SOCIETY  IN  CHINA. 


The  great  object  of  this  Society,  is  to  aid  the  Mis- 
sionary of  the  Gospel,  and  the -philanthropist,  in  the 
execution  of  their  good  works,  by  opening  avenues  for 
the  introduction  of  those  sciences  and  that  religion,  to 
which  we  owe  our  own  greatness,  by  which  we  are 
enabled  to  act  a useful  part  in  this  life,  and  which  fit 
us  for  the  enjoyment  of  a better  life  hereafter;  and  to 
effect  these  purposes,  it  is  necessary  that  a favourable 
impression  with  regard  to  ourselves  be  first  made  on 
the  nlinds  of  the  Chinese  people.  Much  experience 
of  the  habits  and  manners  of  this  peculiar  people,  from 
a long  residence  in  China,  has  convinced  me,  that  the 
practice  of  the  healing  art  atnong  them  promises  this 
desirable  influence ; and  as  the  Chinese  evince  the 
greatest  anxiety  for  the  benefits  which  this  science 
affords,  I cannot  help  urging  the  consideration  of  the 
subject  upon  the  missionary  societies,  and  likewise 
upon  the  evangelical  comrtiunities  of  both  England 


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and  America.  It  is  true,  that  our  Saviour’s  great’and 
last  mandate  is  “ to  preach  the  Gospel,”  still,  on  giving 
this  command,  he  did  not  abrogate  his  former,  “ to 
heal  the  sick.”  I would  therefore  with  all  deference 
submit,  that  it  is  no  deviation  from  his  own  plan,  to 
render  assistance  in  relieving  those  evils  which  flesh 
is  heir  to,  especially  if  the  attempts  be  made  from  a 
conviction,  that  such  benevolent  deeds  cannot  fail  to 
be  a means,  which  must  ultimately  tend  to  the  propa- 
gation of  the  truths  of  His  gospel.  Nothing  has  been 
attempted  in  the  medical  line  with  the  Chinese  that 
has  not  met  with  success ; the  immediate  effects  have 
been  good,  and  when  moral  and  religious  instruction 
shall  be  united  with  the  healing  art,  who  can  say 
where  the  influence  of  such  a union  shall  end  ? The 
minds  of  this  people  must  be  gradually  prepared  for 
the  reception  of  religious  and  moral  principles,  and  the 
surest  way  to  accomplish  this,  will  be  by  showing 
them  the  effects  of  these  principles  on  our  own  con- 
duct. They  are  not  capable  of  understanding  abstract 
truths,  but  facts  and  actions  speak  for  themselves. 
The  Chinese,  from  their  manner  of  life,  are  the  subjects 
of  innumerable  diseases,  the  sight  of  which  is  daily 
intruded  upon  those  who  visit  the  “ celestial  empire ;” 
and  the  subsistence  of  their  lower  classes  is  derived 
altogether  from  manual  labour,  therefore  the  inability 
to  perform  that  labour  is  the  most  serious  evil  that  can 
befall  them.  The  practice  of  medicine  by  the  Chinese 
physicians,  is  blended  with  childish  superstitions;  and 
surgical  aid  cannot  be  procured  even  by  tlie  opulent, 


for  the  practice  of  surgery  in  any  useful  form  is  un- 
known amoiiff  them.  The  influence  then  of  those 
who  restore  them  to  the  exercise  of  their  powers  is 
easily  accounted  for ; and  it  is  evident  that  this  is  a sort 
of  influence  that  is  likely  to  be  widely  extended,  and  it 
will  now  be  seen  that  the  course  proposed  by  the  me- 
dical missionary  society  in  China,  hy  its  usefulness, 
recommends  itself  immediately  to  their  attention. 
There  is  no  doubt  that  inquiries  will  be  made  by  the 
Chinese  as  to  the  motives  of  such  benevolent  acts ; 
when  those  who  are  engaged  in  this  good  cause  will 
explain  that  the  real  concern  is  not  for  the  body  wfliich 
perisheth,  but  for  that  which  is  immortal ! It  appears 
to  me  that  the  number  of  medical  practitioners  might 
be  increased  to  almost  any  extent,  and  all  find  employ- 
ment about  Canton ; but  other  parts  of  the  empire,  I 
foretell,  will  ere  long  be  visited  in  the  same  way,  and 
doubtless  with  the  same  success  that  has  attended  the 
eflbrts  of  those,  who  have  practised  around  the  walls 
of  that  city.  “The  harvest  is  plenteous,  but  the  la- 
bourers are  few.”  With  regard  to  the  qualificatioas 
of  the  medical  gentlemen  to  be  employed,  the  nature 
of  the  work  requires,  first,  that  they  be  thoroughly 
acquainted  with  their  profession,  and  possess  energy 
and  activity  ; next,  that  they  be  religious ; and  lastly, 
that  they  be  men  who  consider  their  own  interest  as 
entirely  subordinate,  when  compared  with  that  of  the 
great  cause  in  which  they  engage.  I say  religious, 
because,  in  the  course  of  medical  practice,  opportuni- 
ties will  occur,  when  a man  piously  disposed  might 


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inculcate  religious  precepts  with  great  effect,  although 
he  may  not  unite  in  his  own  person,  the  two  profes- 
sions of  divinity  and  medicine ; a union  which  I 
think  objectionable,  as  the  all-absorbing  duties  of  the 
active  physician  would  leave  him  but  a scanty  portion 
of  time  to  devote  to  any  regular  form  of  religious 
instruction : moreover  the  profession  of  medicine  is 
replete  with  responsibility,  and  requires  unremitting 
attention,  and  though  individuals  may  be  found  who, 
like  my  friend  Dr.  Parker,  are  competent  to  the  duties 
of  both  divinity  and  medicine,  I do  say  from  my  know- 
ledge of  mankind,  that  such  exceptions  are  rare. 

“ Kara  avis  in  terris.” 


However,  upon  the  Rev.  Dr.  Parker  too  much  praise 
cannot  be  bestowed,  for  besides  being  a pious  minister 
of  the  Gospel  he  is  a very  able  physician,  and  does  not 
run  a risk  of  injuring  the  cause  by  pretending  to  a 
knowledge  and  skill  in  medicine  which  he  does  not 
po.ssess ; and  my  remarks,  in  objection  to  a union  of 
the  two  professions,  do  not  apply  to  men  who,  like  him, 
are  competent  to  perform  the  duties  of  both  ; but  to  those 
missionaries  of  the  Gospel  who,  possessing  an  imperfect 
knowledge  of  the  healing  art,  attempt  to  make  it  a 
means  of  introducing  themselves  to  the  confidence  of 
the  heathen,  as  by  such  men  incalculable  mischief  may 
be  done,  both  to  their  fellow-creatures  and  to  the  cause 
of  religion  itself  I am  so  thoroughly  convinced  that, 
by  following  up  the  plan  laid  down  by  the  “ Medical 


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Missionary  Society  in  China,”  results  will  be  produced 
far  beyond  any  thing  which  has  as  yet  appeared  ; that 
it  will  be  one  of  those  causes  of  which  the  effects  will 
be  felt  even  before  we  have  time  to  trace  its  progress, 
that  I ardently  wish  to  see  some  pious,  medical  gentle- 
men go  out  and  join  Dr.  Parker  in  the  fulfilment  of  so 
praiseworthy  an  undertaking.  The  “ Medical  Missiom 
ary  Society  in  China”  will  not  appoint  medical  persons, 
but  will  rely  on  those  missionary  societies  in  England 
and  America,  which  shall  enter  into  its  plans,  to  make 
the  appointments ; as  it  will  tlms  render  such  missionary 
societies  responsible  for  the  selection  of  the  individuals ; 
and  the  “ Medical  Missionary  Society  in  China”  will  in 
return  be  answerable  to  them,  by  receiving  and  point- 
ing out  the  course  to  be  pursued  by  those  medical 
gentlemen  who  are  sent  out  under  their  auspices.  Be- 
sides, the  “ Medical  Missionary  Society  in  China”  fore- 
sees that  missionary  societies  will  emulate  each  other 
in  the  choice  of  good  and  proper  men,  as  on  their 
selection  its  destinies  are  suspended.  Should  my 
observations  turn  the  attention  of  the  missionary  socie- 
ties and  the  evangelical  communities  of  England  and 
America  towards  forwarding  the  plan  laid  down  by  the 
“ Medical  Missionary  Society  in  China,”  I trust  that  the 
day  is  fast  approaching  when  the  gospel  of  that  glorious 
Being  whose  mercies  are  not  confined  to  either  quarter 
of  the  globe,  will  shine  in  full  splendour  over  eastern 
lands. 

I now  beg  to  recommend  to  those  benevolent  and 
pious  persons  who  possess  sentiments  in  common  with 


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the  members  of  the  “ Medical  Missionary  Society  in 
China,”  the  perusal  of  Dr.  Parker’s  reports,  published 
quarterly  in  the  Chinese  Repository  since  F ebruary, 
1836.  The  “ Medical  Missionary  Society  in  China” 
has  a house  at  Macao  for  the  reception  and  care  of 
such  medical  gentlemen,  as  may  be  sent  out  to  its 
protection. 

THOMAS  R.  COLLEDGE, 

Senior  Surgeon  H.  B.  M.  Service, 
President  of  the 

Medical  Missionary  Society,  China. 

Philadelphia,  December  8th,  1838. 


